Reversible conveyor belt with double helical chain

Abstract

For use in underground mining, in particular coal mining, a chain belt is provided, which consists of the standard vertical links and horizontal links which preferably have double helical surfaces. These horizontal links with the double helical surfaces are connected to a symmetrically constructed pusher, whereby either the base and the guide shoes, or only the base are shaped symmetrically. The symmetry plane is exactly in the center, when viewed in conveying direction, so that such a pusher can be reversed either in relation to the base or in its entirety, or together with the entire chain belt. This results in much higher lifespans.

We claim: 
     
       1. Chain belt for chain conveyors used in underground mining and tunnel construction, having vertical and horizontal links and pushers spaced apart and encompassing the horizontal links, said pushers being equipped at the end with guide shoes adapted to the guide profile of the troughs, characterized in that the guide shoes (5) are connected releasably to the base (8) of the pusher (4); that the guide shoes (5) are symmetrical when viewed transversely to the conveying direction (9); and that the base (9) is divided lengthwise in the center and has identically constructed top (10) and bottom (11) parts.   
     
     
       2. Chain belt as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the base (8) is constructed so as to be positioned transversely to the conveying direction (9) and so as to accept two adjoining horizontal chain links (2, 16), whereby the chain links are arranged so as to be encompassed between top and bottom part (10, 11).   
     
     
       3. Chain belt as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the symmetric guide shoes (5) consist of a rounded tip (28) engaging with the guide profile of the troughs, a short glider (32), and a clamping piece (32) that can be inserted between top (10) and bottom (11) part and having a retaining bore (35) corresponding to the bores (34) in the top and bottom part.   
     
     
       4. Chain belt as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the clamping piece (33) is constructed in a double T-shape, whereby the center bar (36) holds the retaining bore (35), and the side bars (37, 38) are constructed so as to mesh with correspondingly formed recesses (39) in the sides (40) of the base (8), and whereby the clamping piece (33) and base (8) have rounded edges (42, 43) at the contact surfaces.   
     
     
       5. Chain belt as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the retaining screws (6,7) that connect the top (10) and bottom (11) part of the base (8) and are positioned in blind holes (18, 19) are constructed identical to the retaining screws (30) connecting the bases and guide shoes (50) or clamping piece (33).   
     
     
       6. Chain belt as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the blind holes (13,14) have on both sides projecting recesses (15) that are constructed so as to accept retaining noses (20) coordinated with one of the screw heads (19) of the retaining screws (6, 7, 30).   
     
     
       7. Chain belt as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that the guide shoes (5) are equipped with an articulated groove (12) near the dividing joint (21) towards the base (8).   
     
     
       8. Chain belt as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the horizontal links (2,16) encompassed by the base (8) have arches (23) with horizontally and vertically acting double helical surfaces (24) and are designed in a recessed manner, with straight sides (25) that encompass the pusher (4).   
     
     
       9. Chain belt as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the double helical surfaces (24) have sides forming a kinematically rising and rounded central tip (27) of 120° to 140°.   
     
     
       10. Chain belt as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the double helical surfaces (24) are laterally swaged to the arches (23), or the horizontal links (2, 16) are swaged in their entirety.   
     
     
       11. Chain belt as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that the vertical links (3) have a flattened side that results in a larger contact surface (45).   
     
     
       12. Chain belt as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the running surface (29) of the pusher (4), preferably of the base (8), has a concave shape when viewed as a cross-section.